Birmingham's first half marathon has been rescheduled, to allow the city council to make a bid for the World Half Marathon Championships in 2009.

Organisers originally planned to hold the 13.1 mile race on September 7, but found it clashed with the annual Women's Hydroactive 5km Challenge in Birmingham and Wolverhampton's marathon and half marathon.

City sports bosses have now set a new date, October 26, to pave the way for their bid to stage the World Half Marathon Championships next year.

The global event, which is usually held in October, is taking place in Rio de Jane-rio this year.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) deadline for bids is February 20, with the final decision due to be made in London on April 2.

If successful, the council will face a £800,000 bill - four times the budget set aside for this year's half marathon - but city officials hope to secure financial support from the National Lottery, UK Sport and Advantage West Midlands.

Councillor Ray Hassall, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, said: "We've been advised that changing the Birmingham Half Marathon date to October will help our bid for the IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in 2009. It will be one of the biggest events to be staged in this country ahead of the 2012 Olympics."

The city council are keen to grow the Birmingham Half Marathon into a major event, with a capacity of up to 20,000 people running from Alexander Stadium, in Perry Barr, to Centenary Square, in the city centre.

Organisers anticipate the first year field to reach about 5,000.

Denis Hurst, the city's acting assistant director of sport, was confident Birmingham's bid would be taken seriously by the IAAF.

He said: "We've got a great track record in staging major athletics events, such as the World Indoors Athletics Championships and European Indoors Athletics Championships, so we've got a good, strong reputation in this field.

"A half-marathon is really the only event missing from Birmingham's sporting portfolio, and we're confident this is one that could grow year-on-year.

"If we win the bid then 2009 will be a fantastic year for Birmingham in the runup to the 2012 Olympics. Following Beijing 2008 and hopefully some British success there, it could inspire more people to start running."

Ivan Savage, chairman of the Carver Wolverhampton City Marathon and Half Marathon, which both take place on September 7, welcomed Birmingham's decision to change dates.

He sad: "Having two major road races in the region will provide greater opportunities for runners and we are looking forward to working with Birmingham's organising committee."